Services
Medical Retina
Specialist diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.
What is Medical Retina?
Medical retina is the subspecialty of ophthalmology focused on diseases affecting the retina and macula that are managed without surgery. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts images into electrical signals sent to the brain. The macula is the central region of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision.
Many retinal conditions can be treated effectively with injections into the eye (intravitreal therapy), laser treatment, or close monitoring — without the need for surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preserving vision in most retinal diseases.
Conditions We Treat
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The leading cause of vision loss in Australians over 50. Dry AMD involves gradual thinning of the macula. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the macula and requires prompt treatment with anti-VEGF injections to prevent rapid vision loss.
Diabetic Retinopathy
A complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels. May cause leakage, new vessel growth, and vision loss. Regular screening and early treatment with laser or intravitreal injections can prevent severe visual impairment.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Occurs when a retinal vein is blocked, causing haemorrhage and macular oedema. Treatment with anti-VEGF injections or steroid implants can restore vision and prevent further damage.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Fluid accumulation beneath the macula causing distorted or reduced central vision. Often self-resolving, but persistent cases may require laser treatment or other therapies.
Diagnostic Technology
- OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography — high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the retinal layers
- OCT Angiography: Non-invasive imaging of retinal and choroidal vasculature
- Fundus Photography: Wide-field retinal photography for monitoring and documentation
- Fluorescein Angiography: Dye-based imaging to assess retinal blood vessel integrity
Concerned about your vision?
Early treatment of retinal disease can prevent permanent vision loss.
Make an AppointmentTreatment Options
Intravitreal Injections
Anti-VEGF medications (such as Eylea, Lucentis, and Avastin) are injected into the vitreous cavity of the eye to suppress abnormal blood vessel growth and reduce macular oedema. Steroid implants may also be used in selected cases. Injections are performed in the office under topical anaesthesia and take only a few minutes.
Retinal Laser Treatment
Laser photocoagulation is used to treat diabetic macular oedema (focal/grid laser), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (panretinal photocoagulation), and certain other conditions. Laser treatment is performed in the clinic and is generally well-tolerated.
Monitoring & Surveillance
Many retinal conditions — including early or dry AMD and stable diabetic retinopathy — are best managed with regular monitoring using OCT and other imaging. Our doctors work closely with referring optometrists and GPs to coordinate ongoing care.
Our Doctors That Treat Medical Retina Disease
Our ophthalmologists have extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of retinal disease.
Dr Ross MacIntyre
BA (Chemistry), MD, FRANZCO
Corneal, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
General Ophthalmology
Dr MacIntyre is an internationally trained expert in the area of corneal, cataract and refractive surgery. Dr MacIntyre completed both his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and Doctor of Medicine degree with Honours in New York. After a transitional internship at Columbia University he completed his registrar training in ophthalmology at Brown University. He subsequently undertook fellowship training in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. He pursued further training as a cornea fellow at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. During his training he has published articles in the medical literature and presented at both international and local scientific meetings. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society in the United States, and a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Dr MacIntyre is a staff specialist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where he trains registrars and fellows, and provides public health care. He specialises in medical disease of the cornea and corneal transplant surgery.
Qualifications
- —BA (Chemistry)
- —MD
- —Diplomate American Board of Ophthalmology
- —FRANZCO
Fellowships
- —Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University
- —Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Professional Memberships
- —Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
- —American Academy of Ophthalmology
- —American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- —European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- —Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia
- —Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honour Society (AOA)
Public Appointments
- —Staff Specialist, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Dr Xavier Fagan
MBBS FRANZCO
Medical Retina & Ocular Inflammatory Disorders
General Ophthalmology
Dr Fagan is a Melbourne based ophthalmologist. He completed his undergraduate medical degree with honours at The University of Melbourne in 2004. Resident medical years were spent at St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr Fagan commenced his ophthalmology registrar training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in 2007 and finished in 2011. This provided comprehensive medical and surgical ophthalmology training. He achieved success in the final examinations by receiving the K G Howsam medal for best performing doctor in Australia and New Zealand. He subsequently undertook 18 months of fellowship training in medical retina and ocular inflammatory disorders at the same institution. As part of this fellowship he has published articles in the medical literature and presented at international and local scientific meetings. As a consultant ophthalmologist, Dr Fagan has public hospital appointments at the Austin and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospitals. This involves providing public health care and he is actively involved in training of future colleagues. He has an appointment as a clinical lecturer with The University of Melbourne in the faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Qualifications
- —MBBS (Hons)
- —FRANZCO
Awards
- —K G Howsam Medal — Best Performing Ophthalmology Candidate in Australia and New Zealand
Academic
- —Clinical Lecturer, University of Melbourne
Public Appointments
- —Austin Hospital
- —Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Dr Bernardo Soares
MBBS FRANZCO
Medical & Surgical Glaucoma
General Ophthalmology
Dr Bernardo Soares is an experienced Melbourne Eye Surgeon who specialises in Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeries. Holding public positions at the Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and at Monash Health. He is passionate about complex glaucoma and cataract surgery, ophthalmic teaching and surgical training of future colleagues as well as glaucoma collaborative care. Dr Soares has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and constantly presents his work at local and international conferences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology, The International Council of Ophthalmology and the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology.
Qualifications
- —MBBS
- —FRANZCO
- —Fellow, International Council of Ophthalmology
- —Fellow, Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology
Public Appointments
- —Glaucoma Unit, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- —Monash Health
Dr Jonathan Goh
MBBS FRANZCO
Medical Retina
General Ophthalmology
Dr Jonathan Goh is a fellowship trained comprehensive ophthalmologist who sub-specialises in the management of medical retina diseases (diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions) whilst also managing general ophthalmic conditions (cataracts, pterygia, chalazia and glaucoma). Dr Goh obtained his medical degree (MBBS, BMedSci), Postgraduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy (PGDipSurgAnat) and Masters of Surgery (MS) from the University of Melbourne. His Masters of Surgery was awarded for his research in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He completed his ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital with further subspecialty training in medical retina diseases. Dr Goh has published and presented his findings nationally and internationally in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and dry-eye disease. Publicly, he works as a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Austin Hospital and Western Health. Dr Goh has a passion for teaching and is actively involved in teaching junior medical staff and is currently the registrar Medical Retina term supervisor at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He has previously held the Registrar of the Court (2020) position for organising the final ophthalmology examinations that trainees undertake before they are granted their ophthalmology fellowship and recognised as medical specialists.
Qualifications
- —MBBS
- —BMedSci
- —PGDipSurgAnat
- —MS (Surgery)
- —FRANZCO
Academic
- —Masters of Surgery awarded for research in age-related macular degeneration
- —Medical Retina Supervisor, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Public Appointments
- —Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- —Austin Hospital
- —Western Health
Dr David Sousa
MBBS FRANZCO
Vitreoretinal Surgery
Dr David Sousa graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon in 2013. He completed his Ophthalmology specialty training in Portugal, followed by Vitreoretinal fellowships in Manchester, United Kingdom and Melbourne, Australia. Dr Sousa currently works as a Vitreoretinal Surgeon in Melbourne at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and in Geelong at the University Hospital and St John of God Hospital. Dr Sousa specialises in the treatment of vitreoretinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, and complex lens surgery. Dr Sousa obtained his PhD in 2021 and is currently involved in multiple research projects at Centre for Eye Research Australia, including retinal imaging biomarkers, artificial intelligence, neuroprotection and development of novel surgical devices.
Qualifications
- —MBBS
- —FRANZCO
- —PhD (Centre for Eye Research Australia)
Research
- —Multiple peer-reviewed publications in retinal imaging, artificial intelligence and neuroprotection
- —Regular speaker at international conferences
Public Appointments
- —Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- —University Hospital Geelong
Dr Rogan Fraser
FRANZCO
Neuro-Ophthalmology
General Ophthalmology
Dr Rogan Fraser practices comprehensive, general ophthalmology with an interest in neuro-ophthalmology. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Medicine in 2015 where he was on the Dean's Honours list. Prior to that, he practised as an optometrist in regional Victoria for a number of years, which is where his passion for personalised compassionate and full scope eyecare was developed and honed. Dr Fraser undertook his ophthalmology training through the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and in his final year was appointed the Chief Registrar. He currently works as a consultant in the Neuro-ophthalmology unit at the Eye and Ear, as well as in that hospital's emergency department. In this capacity he supervises and teaches both ophthalmology and neurology trainees. He is a visiting lecturer for Monash and Deakin universities, and has been a faculty member of surgical, and neuro-ophthalmology conferences throughout Australia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, and a member of both the Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of Australia, and the UK Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.
Qualifications
- —FRANZCO
Academic
- —Visiting Lecturer, Monash University
- —Visiting Lecturer, Deakin University
Professional Memberships
- —Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of Australia
- —UK Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
Public Appointments
- —Neuro-ophthalmology Unit, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- —Emergency Department, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Concerned About Your Retinal Health?
Early diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions can prevent permanent vision loss. Contact us today to make an appointment.